Students split over senate

Students split over senate

SEMARANG, Central Java: Diponegoro University students split
into two opposing camps over the establishment of a controversial
student senate.

Those opposed to the senate held a demonstration on Wednesday
and those who support it conducted a counter rally on Thursday.

Students against the senate said the government-sponsored
institution is undemocratic and aimed at silencing students.

Nurhidayat, a spokesman for the students supporting the
senate, said that the institution is well-intentioned and will be
a voice for their interests. However, the body, he admitted,
won't be as democratic as the student forum was in the 1970s.

"It's the students' task to make the senate powerful and
maximize its function," he said in Thursday's protest.

Meanwhile, the university's rector Muladi warned that although
students are free to express their ideas, they should not use the
campus for political activities. (har/05)